We kicked off our date night at The Palm with a round of drinks: an old-fashioned cocktail ($19) for my husband, and a pink berry sangria mocktail ($10) for me.

My alcohol-free sangria was really good, and as someone who doesn't drink, I was thrilled to find a few zero-proof options on the menu.

Later in the meal, my husband ordered a glass of red wine ($22 for a 9-ounce pour) from The Palm's vast wine selection.

The Palm's complimentary bread service was an unexpected highlight of our meal. I thought it was some of the best bread I've ever eaten at a steakhouse.

Breads such as onion focaccia and sourdough rolls were served with creamy, salty butter. The real star of the basket, though, was the pretzel bread, which was buttery, delicious, and a treat I had to restrain myself from filling up on.

When we ordered the $17 wedge salad, our server told us that, because of its size, it may be the only appetizer we needed. Wanting to leave room for our main courses, we took her advice and focused on the salad as our shared starter.

When our server brought out steak knives and said, "I know it sounds weird, but you'll need these to hack into our wedge salad," we knew we were in for a treat.

The salad was delicious, topped with crumbly, pungent blue cheese, crisp onion straws, thick bacon, and tomatoes.

Between the two of us, we made an impressive dent in it, but we left some on the plate so we could eat our main course.

After stuffing myself with starters, I needed to move around a bit. So, I walked around the dining room to admire the unique artwork on the walls — hand-painted caricatures of Orlando locals, celebrities, and more.

I asked a manager in the dining room about the unusual art, and he told me there are a few ways to get a caricature on the walls of The Palm.

Sometimes, the restaurant knows a celebrity will be stopping in, so an artist paints them in advance and asks them to autograph it. Other times, a local Orlando regular will do something noteworthy enough to merit a caricature. And finally, members of the Landry's Select Club, of which The Palm is part of, can earn a caricature after accumulating enough points.

However they get there, it's cool to be immortalized in caricature form on the wall of such a posh Orlando dining establishment.

My husband ordered the veal-chop Parmesan — a 14-ounce veal chop served with spaghetti.

The $64 portion was bigger than my husband's head and was cooked to a crispy-brown perfection.

Topped with savory, tomatoey marinara sauce and perfectly broiled mozzarella cheese, we both proclaimed it our favorite dish of the night.

A creature of habit at steakhouses, I ordered the eight-ounce center-cut filet mignon ($58) with a side of truffle butter ($6).

When the steak arrived, I cut into it to find the perfect warm, pink center that always accompanies a perfectly cooked, medium-rare steak.

The filet was very good: crunchy and salty on the outside from its sear but buttery and pink on the inside. The cut of beef really melted in my mouth, and I was thrilled with the accompanying truffle-butter topping.

At first, I was a little unsure about the entire bulb of roasted garlic served on the side, but it really added to the meat's flavor and was incredibly easy to scoop from the bulb.

We shared two sides with our dinner — creamed spinach ($16) and hash browns ($16). Both sides were massive and made great leftovers the following day.

I'd had creamed spinach at The Palm before, as I always order it when seated at the bar. It's some of the best steakhouse creamed spinach out there — perfectly creamy, cheesy, and salty without overpowering the flavors of the earthy spinach.

The hash browns — a mix of chopped fries and potatoes — perfectly complimented my steak and tasted delicious with a bit of ketchup, which was served on the side.

The Palm's dessert menu had lots of enticing options, but at our server's suggestion, we tried the zeppole ($13).

The fried Italian doughnuts were served with a trio of sauces: raspberry, caramel, and chocolate. They were all delicious, but the raspberry sauce reigned supreme for us. We loved the tangy, sweet, fruit taste in contrast with the sugary, crispy, doughnuts.

I also ordered a decaf cappuccino ($6.25), which was exceptional, especially since so many restaurants offer only brewed coffee as a decaf option.

Overall, our meal came to $260 after tax but before the tip. We thought our dinner was well worth the cost for the quality of the food alone.

We also enjoyed the posh atmosphere, and our meal felt like an indulgent date night. We'd definitely return to The Palm for a special occasion.

Moreover, we could've easily shared an entrée or skipped dessert and still left with full bellies and feelings of food-induced happiness.

The prices, atmosphere, service, and experience at The Palm were similar to some of our other favorite steakhouse chains — such as The Capital Grille and Ruth's Chris — with the added perk of being at one of our favorite theme parks.

Correction: February 20, 2025 — An earlier version of this story misstated the name of Universal Orlando's newest hotel. It's Stella Nova Resort, not Stella Luna Resort.

As someone who firmly believes a family's theme-park budget is better spent on things like delicious food and skip-the-line-style ticket passes, saving on a hotel is key.

There are three tiers of hotels at Universal Orlando: signature, prime value, and value. Signature properties like the Hard Rock Hotel are usually quite expensive, but prime-value offerings like Stella Nova tend to be more affordable.

I was able to book a room at the new resort for $124 a night using a Florida-resident discount, but I've heard of families booking the property for as low as $100 a night depending on the dates of their stay.

Rates at these hotels always depend on when you're visiting — January isn't exactly a peak time — and as we get closer to the theme-park opening they're sure to go up.

However, at the time of writing, there are still rooms available this summer for under $300 a night, which I think is a pretty great deal.

The modern-looking lobby area at Stella Nova was brightly lit and had tons of space.

In addition to the front-desk area, lobby bar, and café, there were plenty of places to sit, work on a laptop, or relax throughout the area.

There's also a gift shop and a vacation-planning center, where you can purchase or pick up park tickets, make dining reservations, and more.

There are usually a few characters roaming Universal Orlando's hotel lobbies, and Stella Nova was no exception.

During my visit, I spotted Guy Diamond from the "Trolls" movies and a few astronauts posing for photos with guests. The real highlight, however, was seeing characters from "Men in Black" (including Frank the Pug), who I've yet to meet at the theme parks because the lines to do so are always long.

Meeting characters at your hotel is a great way to get those photos and autographs in a less-stressful environment.

All 750 of Stella Nova's rooms have two queen beds along with a dresser, nightstand, couch, and big closet.

There are more than 20 ADA-accessible rooms, too, which can be selected at the time of booking.

The rooms also have a bathroom with two separate areas, one for the toilet, tub, and shower, and another for the sink.

I think this makes it easier for multiple people to get ready at at time, thus getting everyone out the door and into the theme parks much easier.

In addition to basics, like comfy beds and a place to sit, Stella Nova's rooms had elevated essentials like a mini fridge and a coffee machine.

There's also an ice machine and a station for refilling water bottles on each floor — two incredibly convenient things when you're trying to stay hydrated on busy theme-park days.

I loved the starry art on the walls above the beds and the beautiful back-lit bathroom vanity. I also got a kick out of the hotel's signature cosmic-amber-scented shampoo, conditioner, and soap.

These little touches really elevated Stella Nova and made it feel high-end, despite the affordable price.

Cosmos Cafe and Market, the main dining hub at Stella Nova, is the perfect spot to grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

From banana-nut pancakes to pickle-fried-chicken sandwiches, the menu had lots to choose from. The dining room was also spacious with plenty of seating.

It's a great place to corral your family in the morning before heading to the theme parks or sip coffee and people-watch in the afternoon.

Cosmos also has a grab-and-go area selling breakfast sandwiches, salads, bottled drinks, and other quick bites.

Most importantly, however, it serves Starbucks coffee drinks. I was thrilled to be able to sip a grande skinny vanilla latte en route to the theme parks each morning.

My husband was also quite impressed by the store's case of ice cream — he had a scoop before bed each night.

Nova Bar, the hotel's lobby bar, has an impressive menu of cocktails and mocktails.

I ordered a zero-proof espresso martini that tasted no different from the alcoholic versions I've had. My husband ordered a whiskey drink that was smoked right in the glass.

We also loved just looking through the space-themed cocktail names, like the Nebula, a drink made with mezcal and tonic, and the Black Hole, an alcoholic espresso martini.

Stella Nova has a large, heated outdoor pool and a separate hot tub.

Around the pool area, there are plenty of chairs and umbrellas as well as hula hoops and other activities for kids. At the Galaxy Bar and Galaxy Grill, you can sip poolside drinks or order quick fare like burgers and shrimp cocktail.

Weather permitting, the hotel hosts a nightly poolside movie. There's also a fire pit near the pool, which is a great place to unwind.

I think it's always a good idea to squeeze in some downtime on a theme-park vacation, and Stella Nova has plenty of options for families who need a break from the crowds.

In addition to a vast pool area, I found an arcade and a fitness center — both looked brand new and full of equipment.

I'm counting down until the opening of Epic Universe, so I loved shopping in Stella Nova's Universal Studios Store.

It had all sorts of merchandise collections, from all-new "Harry Potter" items to fun Super Nintendo World products.

A highlight was seeing Dark Universe merchandise, which features characters like Dracula and the Bride of Frankenstein, who will roam the monster-themed land of Epic Universe.

Universal's other hotels are centrally located to its two original theme parks, so I wasn't sure how it would feel to stay a 15-minute drive from the action.

Luckily, getting to the parks was still pretty seamless.

I appreciated that Stella Nova provides buses to and from Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Universal CityWalk. However, since I had my car with me during my stay (which cost $30 a night to park), I just drove.

Once Epic Universe opens, it'll just be a short walk across the street from Stella Nova.

As someone who writes about these theme parks for a living, this hotel is such an exciting value for families. It's so beautiful and nice but so incredibly affordable.

In a world where theme-park hotel rooms seem to cost more every year, it's refreshing to see Universal Orlando open a resort that doesn't force families to compromise on quality or perks.

I think Stella Nova is truly out of this world, and I can't wait to go back with my family.

I usually take the easy way out and purchase pre-butchered chicken breasts at the grocery store. However, Garten's recipe called for two whole chickens, each cut into eight serving pieces.

Since my family didn't need that much, I bought one and had my husband divide it into all the basic parts, from breasts to thighs to legs. Luckily, Garten explained the best way to divide a chicken for frying in a helpful video that accompanied the recipe, so we just followed her lead. 

The recipe initially sounded like it would take forever to make, but the "11 hours" in its name is actually mostly for marinating the chicken in buttermilk.

Since I planned to make my fried chicken for Sunday dinner, I had my husband cut our chicken into pieces in the morning and let it sit in a covered bowl of buttermilk all day long.

When it was time to cook my chicken pieces, I preheated my oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and went to work making the dredge — a simple combination of flour, salt, and pepper.

I've made fried chicken before that called for additional spices in the flour or an egg wash between coats.

Garten's method was incredibly simple and still created a decent crust of breading on each chicken piece.

The buttermilk the chicken had been soaking in acted as the perfect medium for getting the flour mixture to stick.

I've fried chicken in everything from peanut oil to vegetable shortening (and made quite a mess), but Garten's recipe called for just 1 inch of vegetable oil or shortening in a frying pan.

I heated the oil to 360 degrees — checking the temperature with a thermometer — and fried each piece for three minutes on each side until golden brown.

I had to work in two batches as all of the chicken wouldn't fit into my pan at once. However, after about 12 minutes, I had golden pieces that looked perfectly fried.

After frying the chicken, I put each piece on a metal rack on top of a baking sheet. I placed the whole thing in the oven for about 30 minutes until it was fully cooked through.

I liked that I didn't have to fry the chicken immediately before serving. It was wonderful to have the chicken off of my stove, so I could focus on side dishes while it continued to cook.

I had plenty of time to make some green beans, mashed potatoes, and corn bread. 

In the meantime, the chicken continued to crisp up and brown in the oven.

Everyone in my family enjoyed this flavorful, moist fried chicken — even the pickier eaters at my dinner table.

It was juicy inside but still crispy and crunchy on the outside. Because it hadn't come straight from a pan of frying oil, it was also much less greasy than versions I've made in the past.

The lack of grease also made the cleanup easier, which I was grateful for.

Garten's recipe was extremely easy to follow and didn't feel laborious.

Giving each piece a quick fry in a shallow pan of vegetable oil gave it the crispiness I wanted, but finishing the chicken in the oven helped finish it off without as much grease. 

As long as I have the time to plan ahead for the 11-hour marinating period, I'll absolutely try Garten's recipe again. It saved a massive cleanup, and it tasted amazing.

This story was originally published in October 2023 and most recently updated on February 5, 2025. 

On the outside, the restaurant's black awning with simple lettering felt elegant and welcoming.

Inside, Maggiano's ambiance reminded me of a high-end, pricey steakhouse or an authentic Italian restaurant. The candle-lit, chandelier-dotted interior felt quite intimate and cozy.

I didn't feel like I was in a chain restaurant at all. In fact, it reminded me of when I used to live in Baltimore and visit its Little Italy neighborhood for dinner.

The restaurant offers a family-style menu with shareable courses, including starters, an entrée, a pasta dish, and a dessert.

It seemed like a decent deal for about $50 a person. However, everyone in my party had specific cravings and wanted pasta, so we ordered from the regular menu instead.

To start off the meal, my husband ordered a Negroni ($9) while my teenagers and I stuck with sodas and iced tea ($5 each).

Later in the meal, my husband ordered an $18 glass of wine to go with his pasta, followed by a $5 cup of coffee with dessert.

He spent way more on drinks than others in our group — over $30 — but the three of us were content with our free refills.

Soon after we were seated, we were brought a basket of fresh, warm ciabatta bread and oil with herbs for dipping.

The bread was delicious, and we were served so many pieces that we even had some left to take home.

We started our meal by sharing the fried mozzarella for $16.

The crisp planks of battered and fried cheese were topped with melted mozzarella and served with a tomato dipping sauce.

Everyone at my table enjoyed this tasty appetizer, which felt like an elevated take on mozzarella sticks.

Topped with tasty croutons, Maggiano's tomato soup ($10.50) was a great starter for my soup-loving daughter. She really enjoyed it and even let me try a few bites.

The creamy soup tasted perfectly tangy and seasoned with just enough salt to make each bite perfect.

Before visiting any chain, I love checking out the dishes that have copycat recipes on social media. I found a lot of people making copycat versions of Maggiano's Rigatoni D pasta on TikTok, so I ordered it.

The dish includes rigatoni mixed with roasted chicken, mushrooms, caramelized onions, and marsala cream sauce.

It was really good, and I can see why TikTokers recreate the $28.50 dish. The generous portion size meant I took some of the pasta home. Fortunately, it was as delightful leftover as it was served fresh.

One of Maggiano's newer menu items is rigatoni alla vodka ($26.50), a combination of rigatoni, Calabrian chiles, caramelized onions, and vodka sauce.

My daughter added grilled chicken to the dish for an additional $8.50.

We're big fans of pasta with vodka sauce and make it at home often — even so, Maggiano's version of the dish held up.

This creamy pasta was really delicious, especially when eaten leftover the next day.

My son is a picky eater, so he kept his order simple with spaghetti and meatballs.

His $25.50 spaghetti dish was really good. It was full of classic Italian flavors, with tangy tomato sauce and hearty meatballs.

He had no complaints and also came home with leftovers.

Another fan-favorite dish at Maggiano's is lobster carbonara ($39), a blend of lobster, smoked bacon, sugar snap peas, white-wine truffle cream sauce, Parmesan, and spaghetti.

TikTok is also full of copycat recipes for this pasta dish, so we expected it to be pretty impressive. After all, what's not to love about creamy sauce, pasta, bacon, and lobster?

My husband thoroughly enjoyed this generously portioned dish.

Although I couldn't try it due to a shellfish allergy, he said it was everything he'd want from a carbonara, with just the right hints of creamy sauce and carb-y spaghetti to soak it all up.

Crème brûlée is my favorite dessert, so I'm sure to order it whenever it's on a menu. We were incredibly full from our evening of bread, fried cheese, and pasta, so we decided to share one $12.50 order of it.

I'm glad we shared because this dessert felt huge, just like the pasta dishes we had earlier. It was easily double the size of any crème brûlée I've had in a restaurant.

It was also delicious. As full as I was, I couldn't help but go back for bite after bite of this creamy, sugary, warm treat.

Our $230 dinner (including tax and before tip) included lots of drinks, a complimentary bread service, an appetizer, four giant pasta dishes, and a dessert.

Overall, it felt like a great value, and the atmosphere at Maggiano's rivaled any high-end chain we've visited.

We spent less on our meal here than we would at most steakhouse chains, but our dining experience felt just as high-end and high-quality.

Our table felt intimate and we were able to chat with our teenagers and have a great dinner together, something that's just as valuable to my husband and I as the food these days.

To save money next time, we might share dishes since the portion sizes are huge. I'd also consider coming back just to sit at the bar and have crème brûlée for dessert.

Based on my experience, I'd definitely return to Maggiano's and add it to the list of chain restaurants I'd visit with family again and again.

The stars of the menu at Saucy are the chicken tenders and the 11 dipping sauces. The number of sauces is a nod to the 11 herbs and spices in KFC's original fried-chicken recipe.

Saucy sauces include: chimichurri ranch, peri-peri ranch, jalapeño-pesto ranch, smoky bacon ranch, Thai sweet and spicy, Sweet 'N Saucy BBQ, Saucy's Sauce, spicy mango chutney, Saucy ranch, Creole honey mustard, and sweet teriyaki.

Otherwise, the menu is fairly short and simple, with a slew of non-alcoholic beverages, a few chicken sandwiches, two desserts, and sides like toasted Hawaiian rolls and coleslaw.

Although Saucy has a drive-thru, we chose to dine in. I'm glad we did: Saucy feels like a 100% modern twist on its Kentucky-fried roots.

I loved its funky decor, which was bright with shades of pink and hints of red that seemed to pay homage to KFC.

With its futuristic light pendants and cool sculptures resembling dripping sauce, Saucy had a vibe all its own and felt very different from the KFC dining rooms of my youth.

Ordering at Saucy was easy and contactless.

We used one of several touchscreens to order, paid at the kiosk, and then waited for our name to be called so we could collect our food.

My husband and I were able to try everything we wanted to at Saucy for under $40.

We ordered a six-tender box combo ($16) that came with two sauces, fries, coleslaw, and a toasted Hawaiian roll; a Key-lime-cake dessert ($4); an extra coleslaw ($2); two tropical black teas ($4); a spicy-queso-crunch sandwich ($5); and nine additional sauces (49 cents each).

We got our tenders with crinkle-cut fries and a toasted Hawaiian roll, though we could've also chosen coleslaw as a side.

Saucy's tenders are apparently made using the same recipe as KFC's. Still, I thought the tenders I got at Saucy seemed plumper, moister, and crispier than any I remember getting on past KFC runs.

Our meal at Saucy was nothing short of incredible — truly the kind of fast food that tasted like it could've been from a sit-down restaurant.

Nothing we had was overly greasy, and the tasty sauces made our dining experience even more enjoyable. I liked that there seemed to be one for everyone, from several ranch-based dips and classics like barbecue sauce to even Asian-inspired delights.

Although we had some clear favorite sauces, there wasn't a single one we didn't enjoy.

My husband also got the spicy-queso-crunch chicken sandwich ($5).

We liked the crunchy, battered chicken tender topped with queso sauce and spicy peppers on a buttery Hawaiian roll. Still, we'd probably skip it next time. The tenders and many dipping sauces were the clear stars of our meal.

Saucy had both a chocolate and Key-lime cake available for dessert, and both were served in a plastic can.

We chose the latter, which cost $4. It was the perfect size, especially considering how full we were from our meal.

I liked the citrusy icing and cake layers and felt this was a wonderful sweet ending to our meal. Plus, the spoonable cake was easy to share.

When we'd dipped and nibbled until we had no room left in our stomachs, it was time to pack up our leftovers to take home.

Our to-go container had room for just five sauces, so we kept our favorites: jalapeño-pesto ranch and per-peri ranch, two spicy and flavorful dips we really loved; smoky bacon ranch, our favorite of the ranch-based dips; and sweet teriyaki and Thai sweet and spicy, which were packed with tons of flavor and sweet twists.

As a lover of chicken tenders, I was smitten with Saucy. The food was really good, and dipping delicious fried chicken tenders in all of those sauces was tons of fun.

Our meal also felt surprisingly affordable, especially since we got far more food than the two of us could finish — and next time, we'd order less.

Based on my finger-lickin'-good experience, I'd definitely go back to Saucy, even if its only location is a 90-minute drive from me.

If you're visiting Orlando, I suggest treating yourself to a little culinary sauce journey at Saucy. Hopefully, though, more locations will open soon.

Alys Beach stood out with its architecture and design. White, stone structures and beautiful landscaping were king in this area, and it's easy to see why it's a popular spot for luxury travel.

With bright, linear buildings set against a cerulean sky, the area feels like something out of the Mediterranean region or, at the very least, a spot where celebrities would buy homes or take vacations in Florida.

I had a yummy lunch here on the outdoor patio of a spot called George's at Alys Beach and shopped for a bit in the public area. Still, it wasn't my favorite.

In my opinion, this area felt the least accessible to vacationers and had the vibe of a private community — not so much an inviting beach town.

I enjoyed my time in Rosemary Beach and found the TikToks I'd seen about the area to be accurate: The whole town has a European vibe, from the architecture of its homes to the design of its main shopping and dining area.

The area felt high-end and pricy, something some people vacationing in Florida may not expect.

Despite being cute and within walking distance of the main area of town, I found myself preferring to drive elsewhere in my rental car.

During my visit to 30A, I stayed at an Airbnb between Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach.

A perk of this area is that most of the beach towns are within walking or biking distance, and bike-rental shops are plentiful if a bicycle isn't included with your rental property.

Seaside was about a 15-minute drive from my Airbnb, and I found myself making the trip on two separate occasions to spend time there because I liked the area so much.

As someone who's lived in Florida for the last eight years, I've come to appreciate the state's quirkiness and beauty. I love everything Florida's beach towns have to offer, and walking through Seaside felt very "Florida," while also feeling upscale.

There were gorgeous beach houses and breathtaking views of the blue-green Gulf of Mexico, but the area also had beach bars, souvenir shops, and hole-in-the-wall restaurants that reminded me I was still in my state.

The flavors of Seaside were delightful and I'd absolutely return to the town for meals on future trips to 30A.

One night, I had a wonderful steak dinner on the rooftop of Bud and Alley's, a historic restaurant with famous sunset views.

Another day, I visited Seaside bright and early for breakfast at Pickle's Burger and Shakes, a spot on the beach that serves Southern breakfast fare like biscuits and gravy.

Even the latte I grabbed at Amavida Coffee and Tea was excellent.

The sunsets along the Gulf of Mexico are stunning, and the prettiest one I saw was while having dinner on the roof of the aforementioned Bud and Alley's.

The restaurant even rings a bell each time the sun sets.

My dream rental property in Seaside would be right on the gulf with a balcony for viewing the sunset on the days I didn't make it to Bud and Alley's roof.

The best thing I did while in Seaside was actually a free self-guided walking tour created by the Seaside Institute that I played on my phone as I explored the town.

It featured recorded audio snippets from architects and town planners who founded Seaside explaining everything from the art and design of each beach entrance to how the local historic post office came to be.

Not only was it great to see the town on foot and learn about its history, but also finding a free vacation activity that's fun is always a win in my book.

I love that Seaside doesn't seem to take itself as seriously as towns like Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach.

Instead, it seems to embrace its Florida roots while still maintaining stunning architecture, beautiful art installations, and vibrant public areas.

It's beautiful enough to feel like a vacation — even to someone from another part of Florida — while not feeling as pretentious as other towns in the area.

I cannot wait to return to 30A for another vacation along the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.

After exploring the area, I'm definitely a Seaside girl, and would choose a rental property right in the heart of the town for my next trip.

I'd still venture into towns like Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach for a meal or some shopping, but I'd recommend a stay in Seaside to a first-time 30A visitor.

Chains like Texas Roadhouse, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Outback Steakhouse felt similar in price point.

On average, it cost my party of four around $160 to eat at each, but the food at Outback was the hands-down favorite for everyone in my party.

Its complimentary brown bread was the best we've had, our steaks were melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and we loved the classic Bloomin' Onion appetizer.

My family of four got an appetizer, entreés, two glasses of wine, and two desserts for $165. At the time, we ordered more than we'd normally eat, so I know we could return and spend even less while still getting a really good meal.

Although Ruth's Chris was one of the more pricey steakhouses we've visited, our $500 meal felt worth it for the classy atmosphere, delicious food, and impressive wine list.

The chain's side dishes were particularly impressive. My favorite steakhouse side dish is creamed spinach, and the tasty version at Ruth's Chris was everything I could hope for.

The mashed potatoes we had there were also superb, as were the sauteéd mushrooms — another steakhouse staple.

We'd absolutely return here for a special occasion.

Our dinner at LongHorn felt like a great value because we enjoyed our generously-portioned meals so much — but a highlight of our dinner was a valuable tip.

LongHorn serves a $30 ribeye, and when my husband ordered his medium rare, the server took a moment to educate us about that particular cut of meat.

Because of the fat in a ribeye, he explained, the meat becomes more buttery and tender when it's cooked to a medium temperature.

My husband switched his order, and the resulting ribeye was delicious. Although we still order cuts like filet cooked medium rare, his tip stuck with us and we now cook and order our ribeyes medium.

Of the steakhouse chains I've been to, Texas Roadhouse had my least-favorite overall atmosphere. When we visited, it felt loud, crowded, and chaotic.

Several times during our meal, our conversation was interrupted by servers loudly clapping and singing to people who were there for a birthday dinner. We were also surrounded by many families with young children, who could understandably get a bit noisy.

Texas Roadhouse doesn't have a high-end atmosphere like Ruth's Chris or The Capital Grille, but I'd go a step further and say it's in a class below Outback and LongHorn.

Although the chain had a nicely varied menu, our group found the food to be just OK.

Overall, I think Texas Roadhouse is better suited for families with kids and groups who don't mind a noisier dining experience.

Of all the steakhouse chains I've visited, The Capital Grille was my favorite with its delicious food, extremely attentive staff, and relaxing-but-elegant ambiance.

From the moment we walked into the restaurant, my family felt relaxed and taken care of.

Through several courses — which included some of the best calamari I've ever eaten and a few perfect wine pairings — we kept chatting about what a wonderful experience we were having.

The service and atmosphere alone made this steakhouse my favorite, and the food only sealed the deal.

We tried everything from surf and turf to filet au poivre and loved every bite. My son, who always orders burgers at steakhouses, said The Capital Grille served the best he's had.

Our meal cost over $500 after tax and tip, so going here wouldn't fit into our weekly dining out budget. Still, I'd request dinner at The Capital Grille for a special occasion or return for date night with just my husband to save a few hundred dollars.

Garten's easy turkey lasagna is a simple take on the standard recipe with a few surprising ingredients — namely, goat cheese for the filling.

Her recipe calls for sweet Italian turkey sausage, but since I had trouble finding that at any grocery stores near me, I used regular ground turkey and seasoned it with Italian seasoning, red-pepper flakes, and a bit of sugar.

After seasoning the ground turkey, making the sauce was pretty straightforward.

When I simmered onion, fresh herbs, canned crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste together, I had a pretty standard, meaty sauce to work with.

I'd never made lasagna with goat cheese, but Garten's recipe meant I stirred 3 to 4 ounces of it into 15 ounces of ricotta.

The combination was tart and flavorful. The flavors of the goat cheese stood out in the dish, especially with the lightness of the ground turkey.

I really liked that Garten's recipe included fresh mozzarella cheese.

So many lasagnas lean on grated or shredded mozzarella, so slicing up a fresh log was a nice touch.

Garten's cheese-laden lasagna was a dairy lover's dream.

The goat cheese gave that layer some extra tang and flavor, and the fresh mozzarella provided layers of thick, cheesy goodness that made for a great cheese pull.

De Laurentiis' classic Italian lasagna made me question the standard recipe I've been following for years.

I'm used to ground meat, cheeses, and tomato sauce. But De Laurentiis' recipe requires 20 ounces of frozen spinach and a mixture of white béchamel sauce and homemade tomato sauce.

De Laurentiis' method puzzled me, but who am I to argue with a master of Italian cuisine?

I made a béchamel sauce and a standard tomato sauce to assemble the chef's lasagna and stirred the two together.

De Laurentiis also said to keep the ground beef separate, layering it into the dish on its own.

Before assembling, I followed the instructions and stirred together three large eggs and 1 ½ pounds of ricotta cheese.

I'm not a fan of a lasagna that's heavy on the egg flavor, but her recipe wasn't overly eggy in the end.

De Laurentiis' recipe had a lot of spinach, and there wasn't much seasoning to add flavor.

The spinach was my least favorite ingredient in any of the lasagna recipes, and I'm usually a big fan of the leafy green.

De Laurentiis' lasagna disappointed me, mostly because it wasn't very flavorful.

I don't think the many steps of the complicated recipe paid off in the end.

Drummond, better known as The Pioneer Woman, doesn't mess around with protein-filled meals.

Her simple lasagna recipe calls for 2 pounds of ground beef and a pound of hot breakfast sausage.

The chef also included cottage cheese instead of traditional ricotta and tons of fresh herbs, such as basil and parsley.

I eat a high-protein diet, so I was immediately drawn to Drummond's meat-heavy lasagna sauce.

Like Garten, Drummond's recipe relies on canned tomatoes and tomato paste to make up the rest of the sauce, along with lots of chopped, fresh herbs.

Cottage cheese is a staple for meeting my daily protein goals, but I'd never had it in lasagna.

Drummond completely did away with traditional ricotta, and in the end, I enjoyed the flavor the cottage cheese brought to the meal.

My son, the picky eater, didn't even notice the switch.

Tossing 3 pounds of meat into a lasagna felt like overkill, but I ended up loving it.

Lasagna can be carb- and dairy-heavy, so I liked how protein-packed Drummond's version was.

Drummond's meaty lasagna was my favorite.

I would make her recipe again — it just might replace the family recipe I always default to.

Drummond's lasagna was perfectly cheesy and flavorful, had the right ratio of sauce to noodles, and was incredibly simple to assemble.

Best of all, it was a hit with my entire family.

This story was originally published on December 21, 2023, and most recently updated on December 24, 2024.

Disney World is known for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, a ticketed event at Magic Kingdom, but this is the second year for Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios.

The after-hours event runs for five hours on select nights and includes perks like short ride times, party-exclusive food, and the opportunity to meet rare Disney characters.

It also requires a separate ticket, but it can be slightly more affordable — Magic Kingdom's event costs between $180 and $220 for adults, and Jollywood Nights goes for $160 to $180.

This is all separate from daytime park admission. One-day, single-park tickets for this month start at about $150.

Universal's holiday tour is a must-do for me every season.

My $100 ticket included five hours with a tour guide, special meet-and-greets, dinner, dessert, and more. It's the only way to meet Santa at Universal Orlando, although he does appear nightly in a holiday parade.

The tour is less expensive than the Disney events, but unlike those, it requires a park ticket — a one-day, single-park ticket costs about $120 right now. Luckily, I have an annual pass, so I was able to use that and skip this added cost.

I also spent time at Universal before check-in to explore some of the holiday offerings on my own.

Getting photos with characters is one of my favorite parts of visiting theme parks, so I was sure to line up for some of the party-exclusive meet-and-greets at Jollywood Nights, like Disney's Duffy Bear dressed as Santa.

However, you don't have to have an event ticket to meet holiday-themed characters. Some characters, like Chip and Dale and Woody, are out in their holiday best all day at Hollywood Studios.

Universal goes full Grinch during the holiday season, with offerings like a Grinch meet-and-greet, a character breakfast with the mean one himself, and the "Grinchmas Who-Liday Spectacular" show.

From sweet treats to merchandise, you'll see the green guy all over the park.

Earl the Squirrel, a Universal character inspired by a real-life squirrel who used to live in the park's Christmas tree, is also a main figure of the season.

There were Jollywood Nights-specific entertainment offerings at my event — like a "Nightmare Before Christmas" sing-along — there are also holiday happenings for daytime park guests.

The popular "Frozen Sing-a-long Celebration" show gets a special holiday revamp, and Santa also greets guests at It's A Wonderful Shop.

There's no greater holiday joy for me than watching the "Grinchmas Who-Liday Spectacular" show, starring the Grinch, every Who down in Whoville, and a real-life version of Max (the dog).

Anyone with a regular park admission can see the Broadway-quality performance, which features songs by Mannheim Steamroller. It runs several times every day throughout the holiday season.

The park also has a special holiday parade that features Dreamworks characters, floats, entertainers, and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons.

The holiday food at Disney truly can't be rivaled.

I noshed on lots of things you can only get during Jollywood Nights, like kimchi-pimento-cheese dip and tot poutine, but festive foods are available at the park during the day as well.

From a red-velvet holiday shake to a winter-spiced whoopie pie, Disney has plenty of only-seen-at-Christmas foods to try.

Universal has some holiday-themed treats, like Max-shaped cookies and a roasted-turkey-dinner crepe, but I didn't think there were too many options.

If you're looking to really experience delicious festival food at Universal, you'll want to visit during Mardi Gras or Halloween Horror Nights, when the park is filled with stands selling tasty themed bites.

Choosing a theme-park souvenir is tough on any vacation, but it's even harder for me during the holidays.

Almost every Hollywood Studios' giftshop was taken over by Mickey ornaments and cozy holiday sweatshirts. There were also special pop-up areas selling even more festive items.

Like Disney World, Universal goes all out with holiday-themed merch.

This is especially true for the themed lands, like Seuss Landing and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Both "Grinchmas" and "Holidays at Hogsmeade" release fun limited-time offerings this time of year.

Disney goes all out, adorning Hollywood Studios with vintage Hollywood-glam decorations like star-lit lamp posts and sparkly ornaments and lights.

You'll even find fake snow made of soap, dubbed "snoap." It's really beautiful to watch it fall over the decorated theme park without having to feel freezing cold — a win-win.

From the 80-foot tree in the New York area to its Holiday Tribute Store filled with limited-time merchandise, Universal's Christmas decor is truly something to behold.

It also produces plenty of snoap, so you don't have to worry about missing out on that magic.

Disney and Universal hold special places in my heart after years of building family memories in both.

Still, I think Universal is a better value during the holidays since a regular park ticket gets guests way more seasonal activities for their money.

Although I added on the VIP tour and recommend it, it's not actually necessary. Everyone can meet characters like the Grinch and Earl the Squirrel, watch the "Grinchmas Who-Liday Spectacular," and catch the parade.

Disney keeps many of its best holiday activities in its separate, ticketed events, which can be costly, especially if you're also planning on spending the day at the parks.

The Melting Pot first opened in Maitland, Florida, just outside Orlando in 1975. At the time, it sold just three fondues: Swiss cheese, beef, and chocolate.

Over time, the chain began serving more varieties of fondue, plus things like craft cocktails and salads.

As its menu grew, so did its reach. Today, The Melting Pot has almost 100 locations throughout the US and one in Canada.

We started our meal at The Melting Pot with a round of drinks.

My husband chose an old-fashioned cocktail ($15), my daughter and I selected alcohol-free mixed drinks ($8 each), and my son ordered a soda ($5).

As someone who stopped drinking alcohol months ago, I was impressed with the restaurant's spirit-free menu, which went beyond Shirley Temples and club soda with creative options involving fresh ingredients.

Later in the meal, my husband had two $12 glasses of red wine, and I ordered an additional $8 alcohol-free drink from the bar.

The menu at The Melting Pot can feel a bit overwhelming at first.

The chain does a great job organizing a few fondue-for-two meals at a pre-fixe price, but its à la carte menu of separate cheese, entrée, and dessert courses can be hard to navigate with a larger party.

For example, the cheese course alone starts at around $30 for two people, but the cost goes up for additional diners or add-ons like charcuterie or gluten-free dippers.

Thankfully, our server helped us decide how much we needed to order so everyone got enough to eat without us having tons of leftovers.

Our Alpine cheese-fondue course for four cost $56.

Alongside the cheese, which was a blend of gruyére, raclette, fontina, white wine, and garlic, we were served dippers like crusty bread, apples, and a blend of carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli.

This course was incredibly delicious. Having made fondue at home many times before, I can say having someone assemble the dish and clean it up afterward was well worth the price.

Plus, the portion was large enough that we could've been pretty happy ending our meal here.

Although salad is typically the last thing on my mind when a fondue spread is on the table, our server told us there was one on the menu he loved and suggested we order one to try.

His pick, the bacon-and-blue-cheese spinach salad ($8), came with spinach, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, tomato, and blue cheese. It was pretty incredible — so much so that I'd consider ordering it again the next time I visit The Melting Pot.

At our server's suggestion, we also shook a bit of the restaurant's garlic-and-wine seasoning on top. The flavorful blend added a lot to the already tasty salad.

For our entrée course, we chose the coq-au-vin cooking style, a yummy blend of burgundy wine, mushrooms, scallions, and garlic.

Since we were already a bit full from our cheese course and salad, our server suggested we split two entrées among the four of us.

We ordered the $34 Pacific Rim selection, which included proteins like shrimp, ahi tuna, and chicken, and the $38 classic, with meats like pork and steak.

We enjoyed cooking the proteins in our fondue, but the real star of the entrée course was the array of sauces paired with them. It was fun to taste the dips, which ranged in flavors from teriyaki to curry.

To end our meal, we ordered the chain's yin-and-yang chocolate fondue for the table ($56).

The pretty mixture of white chocolate and dark chocolate made for some great photos and was a delicious way to try two flavors of fondue.

At the time of our visit, my daughter and I were on a special diet for medical reasons, so we asked for gluten-free dippers.

We were charged $8 for an extra plate with things like gluten-free brownies and cookies.

The extra cost was worth it, as she and I were able to fully enjoy the course without having to stick solely to dipping fruit into our melted chocolate.

Although I remember previous dinners at The Melting Pot taking a long time, it only took us about two hours to move through cheese, salad, dinner, and dessert courses.

The experience felt perfectly timed: We could take as long as we wanted for each course but were readily ushered into the next one as soon as we were ready.

Our meal cost $268 before tax and tip — a price that felt worth it for the food, service, atmosphere, and overall fondue-making experience.

For me, The Melting Pot's unique dining experience alone made this meal worth the cost. There aren't many restaurants where you can dine out while having the feeling of cooking together as a family.

My husband and I loved having our kids at the dinner table with us for a few hours. We had easy conversations as we all busied ourselves with picking up food and dipping it in cheese, broth, and chocolate.

Next time, though, we might save money by skipping the entrée course and only ordering cheese and chocolate fondue.

They were the highlights of our meal, and we'd have been plenty full with just those two courses. I'd still order that amazing spinach salad to go with them, though.

A Christmas Eve tradition in my house is to give my kids new pajamas, cozy socks, and a board game we can all play together after dinner.

At Target, I found the softest, cutest holiday socks for about $3 a pair, and I got a few for each kid.

My teenage daughter loves to wear festive accessories to holiday parties and church services throughout December, so I toss new ones into her stocking each year.

At Walmart, I found a display of super-affordable holiday accessories, such as light-up tree earrings and candy-cane-printed hair clips.

Most of the accessories were under $5 — and the display looked a bit picked-through — but I still found cute stuff for me and my daughter.

During my shopping trip, Target was running a sale offering up to half off on board games like Disney Villainous and Tetris.

The sale seemed to be so good that lots of spaces on the shelves had been cleared out, and many games were out of stock.

Still, I was able to snag a few board games at low prices to put away as holiday gifts.

Walmart's board-game aisle was well-stocked, but there weren't any sales going on when I visited.

Still, I appreciated the broad selection, which included everything from dice and card games to a local version of Monopoly specific to my Florida town.

Target had fewer games in stock, but I expected that given the sale that was happening while I was shopping.

Both of my teens have a lot of insulated water bottles, but I know they'll each love getting a new one for Christmas.

At Target, I found lots of popular brands of insulated bottles and tumblers, including Stanley and Owala. I appreciated finding big-name bottles in a variety of colorways — plus, many of them were on sale.

I definitely didn't experience the same Stanley-shopping zen at Walmart as I did at Target.

I struggled to find trendy big-name brands in Walmart's water-bottle section, but I did see unique offerings, like Cirkul ones with flavor pods.

For the most part, though, I was surprised at how disorganized and messy this section felt at my store. A lot of the bottles and tumblers were tipped over or shoved where they didn't belong.

We're big on holiday pajamas in my family, so I couldn't wait to see the offerings at both stores.

Target felt like the perfect spot to grab matching holiday pajamas for everyone in my family … even our pets.

My local store had a huge section filled with pajamas at a few different price points. I passed a well-stocked display with $15 sets for the whole family and found some pricier, super-soft Christmas pajamas for women.

At my local Walmart, I was able to locate a cardboard display that seemed to once have holiday pajamas in a range of sizes, but it was empty.

I found festive pajamas in different sections of the store for women, men, kids, and babies, but no matching sets for families.

My teen daughter and I love to shop at Target for makeup and skincare products, especially since the chain carries nicer lines like Versed and La Roche-Posay.

In its beauty section, I found numerous holiday-themed skincare and makeup sets along with stocking-stuffer-sized minis of face masks, lip glosses, and more.

I picked up a beauty advent calendar and a few different holiday-edition Nyx Cosmetics products for my daughter, and I know she'll love them.

I was excited to find an entire endcap of festive toiletry sets for men at Walmart with products from brands like Every Man Jack and Duke Cannon.

It's rare that I find men's skincare or body-care sets during the holidays, so I picked up a deodorant-and-body-wash set for my son.

I love putting festive versions of candies my kids already love, like Reese's and Swedish Fish, in my kids' stockings.

It's always a bit whimsical to see beloved snacks packaged up in special ways for holidays, and both Walmart and Target had plenty of these kinds of items.

I could stop by either store to fill my kids' stockings, whether I want hollow candy-cane shapes filled with Hershey's Kisses or seasonal Pez dispensers,

In general, I found Target's and Walmart's prices to be pretty comparable on things like pajamas, accessories, and beauty sets.

However, Target had an advantage with its seasonal sales on board games, Lego sets, and video games.

The Lego section of my store looked especially picked-through, but that's probably because sets were 20% off. At Walmart, the Lego sets appeared to be full price.

Although Target changes its offers weekly (or sometimes daily), they appear to be coming up more often than Walmart's right now.

Both stores had excellent offerings, but Target impressed me more.

A lot of people consider Walmart to be the cheaper of the two chains, but I actually found way more sales and deals at Target — many of which made its prices much lower than Walmart's.

Target is also doing a holiday price-match offer that's hard to beat. Shoppers can request a price adjustment if any item they buy there becomes cheaper before Christmas.

Lastly, my local Target felt cleaner, brighter, and better organized than Walmart.

I'll be heading to Target for the remainder of my holiday needs, but I still swear by shopping at Walmart for groceries for the best deals on food.

When we arrived at Capa for a Friday-night dinner, we noticed the restaurant had a sleek, modern layout with minimalistic Spanish decor.

The dining area's floor-to-ceiling windows displayed breathtaking views of the resort, a few Disney World theme parks, and the Florida sunset.

The main dining room also had an open kitchen, where customers could watch staff cook meat and seafood on a wood-fired grill.

To start our meal, my kids and I ordered mocktails, and my husband got the In Spanish Fashion ($18) — a whiskey- and brandy-based cocktail.

My kids chose the Lavender Haze ($10 each), made with butterfly-pea tea, and I ordered the Spa Day ($10), a refreshing cucumber-based drink.

Throughout the course of the night, my husband also ordered a glass of wine ($28) and a vermouth ($12).

For our appetizer, we got the pan con tomate — crusty bread topped with a tomato pulp. We opted to add Manchego cheese and ham to the dish ($24) and were not disappointed.

Each bite burst with the salty flavors of the cheese and ham, and the bread tasted fresh and delicious.

For my entrée, I chose the Miyazaki wagyu beef, which had a top-grade A5 quality score and was made from purebred Japanese cattle.

I ordered 5 ounces of the tender beef, priced at $32 per ounce ($160 total), and was blown away by its preparation.

The medium-rare wagyu, which was served atop a hot-pink salt slab, melted in my mouth like butter. It was the most tender beef I've ever eaten.

My 14-year-old daughter ordered the 8-ounce filet ($72), served with a piquillo-pepper purée. The medium-rare steak was perfectly cooked, and she ate every bite.

A filet is my daughter's go-to at any steak house, but she said her meal at Capa was the best she's ever had — which is high praise from a kid who often dines out with her food-writer mom.

At our server's recommendation, my husband ordered the bone-in cowboy ribeye ($91).

The steak, cooked to a medium temperature, was perfect when I tried it. Each bit of fat marbling turned into a melt-in-your-mouth tender bite.

To accompany our steaks, we ordered a selection of five sauces for $22.

The bernesa sauce was buttery and creamy, the verde version was tangy with hints of Greek yogurt, and the cilantro-horseradish option had a perfect blend of herbs and spices. The peppercorn sauce was just as good as au-poivre-style sauces I've had at other steak houses.

However, my favorite was the Capa steak sauce, a vibrant, spicy option that tasted way better than store-bought condiments. 

During our meal, our server also brought a complimentary flavored-sea-salt tray.

My daughter and I loved one salt that tasted truffle-infused, and my husband was so inspired by a smoky flavor that he made his own version at home later that week.

My son is a picky eater, so even though he's 16, he ordered two $10-entrées from the kid's menu: a grilled-cheese sandwich and chicken fingers.

Even at a fancy, Michelin-starred restaurant, the standard fare tasted like any other kid's menu items.

The setas ($16) — mushrooms with a caramelized-onion sauce — were earthy and savory. We also tried the maíz, a corn-and-polenta dish topped with goat cheese ($14), that was so good we said we'd try recreating something similar at home.

The true star, however, was the perfectly crisp patatas bravas ($12) — spicy fried potatoes topped with cornichons, chipotle aioli, and a paprika-tomato sauce. 

For dessert, we got two orders of the $15 churros de Madrid.

The dish, served with chocolate and dulce-de-leche dipping sauces, was a hit with everyone at the table.

When we made our reservation, we checked the firework schedules for both Epcot and Magic Kingdom so we could watch the nighttime shows from Capa's veranda.

After dessert, we headed outside to watch back-to-back fireworks displays at the two theme parks. It was a great way to see the shows without battling the crowds or buying theme-park tickets.

With tax and without the tip, our meal cost $580, which we felt was a good value. The Michelin-starred food was incredible, and the prices didn't seem too far off from those of other major steak-house chains I've visited.

The award-winning restaurant also did an amazing job accommodating families, as I noticed lots of younger kids and parents dining at other tables.

For me, this delicious, elegant dining option opens up a different kind of Disney adventure — one with fine dining and spectacular cuisine.

Walking into Hobby Lobby felt like entering a home fully adorned in its holiday best.

The entrance had a bed with seasonal quilts and throw pillows and large ceramic figurines of Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The displays were so beautiful that I immediately felt inspired to try new things in my holiday decor this year.

My local Michaels' entryway didn't feel festive at all. Although there were some artificial wreaths and garlands, there wasn't much else.

I like to feel enveloped in holiday spirit as soon as I enter a store during this time of year, so I was disappointed.

Hobby Lobby had several entire aisles dedicated to tableware, all grouped together for easy shopping. The variety was nice, too, with items ranging from poinsettia table runners to wine glasses adorned with cardinals.

We're big entertainers during the holiday season, so I love stocking up on different cloth napkins, kitchen towels, and other items that add to my kitchen and dining-room decor.

At Hobby Lobby, the options felt endless, and the displays felt organized.

Michaels had seasonal tableware, but it felt harder to find.

Many aisles at Michaels were divided by theme, from nutcracker ballet to reindeer. Each section grouped all items from a certain theme together, from serving plates to wall decor.

This layout would be fantastic if you were shopping for lots of pieces that matched a certain aesthetic, but I prefer to see all of the plates or dish towels together so I can pick the ones I like.

My family has used the same Christmas stockings since my kids were small. Still, Hobby Lobby made me feel tempted to buy a new round of stockings just because.

I found designs with ballet slippers, snowmen, unicorns, candy canes, and so much more. It felt like there was truly a stocking design for every member of the family.

There's something quaint about those traditional chocolate-filled advent calendars with little doors that open each day leading up to Christmas to reveal a tasty prize.

Michaels had a pretty impressive selection of themed advent calendars featuring recognizable characters from Marvel, Nintendo, and other huge franchises.

Since Hobby Lobby is a Christian-owned retailer, it's no surprise that it had a huge selection of more faith-based holiday decor.

I found beautiful angel tree toppers and ornate nativity sets on display. Michaels had a few nativity items, too, but not nearly as many as Hobby Lobby.

Another iconic part of the holiday season, Elf on the Shelf was on full display at Michaels.

My store had several varieties of elfs, plus accessories, books, and other merchandise to pair with them.

If your family is big on Santa's scout elves and their antics, Michaels is the place to shop for everything you need this year.

Hobby Lobby's holiday-craft section was really impressive.

There were aisles upon aisles of supplies perfect for holiday crafters, from beads and glitter glue to scented markers and stickers.

Michaels had a few endcaps set up with holiday crafting supplies, from colorful jingle bells to beads to craft kits for kids.

Although I didn't spot as many festive supplies at Michaels as I did at Hobby Lobby, both stores carried enough of a selection that any holiday crafter could keep busy all season long.

Hobby Lobby excelled at stocking entire collections of merchandise for beloved characters.

I found full sections filled with linens, crafts, baking supplies, and more adorned with the familiar images of iconic characters, like the Grinch and Hello Kitty.

Michaels had an endcap that contained a few Hanukkah items like chocolate gelt coins and themed paper goods.

Hobby Lobby had nothing of the sort, making Michaels the winner for representing other winter holidays besides Christmas.

Since discovering the @blacksantaexists Instagram account several years ago, I've tried to diversify my own Santa collection at home, so all of my guests see themselves represented in my holiday decor.

Although I didn't find many Black Santa items at Hobby Lobby in 2023, the chain seemed to improve on its selection's diversity this year.

I was pleased to find mugs depicting Black Santa and Mrs. Claus and Black angel tree toppers.

Michaels also sold numerous Black Santa items as well, from throw pillows to wooden signs.

Although Michaels seemed to have more Santa representation last winter, both stores seemed to have pretty equal footing this year.

Both stores had a great, broad selection of ornaments for gamers, home cooks, and even shark enthusiasts like my 14-year-old daughter — I got her two glittery glass sharks at Hobby Lobby.

In addition to themed glass ornaments, there were also large packs of shatter-resistant ball ornaments at both stores.

Both stores also stocked many options for artificial Christmas trees.

Either retailer would be a great place to look if you're in the market for one this year. I found a variety of options for heights, widths, price ranges, and colors.

Although I certainly don't need another holiday item to collect, I was tempted by the cute display of gingerbread people at Hobby Lobby.

Gingerbread characters in different poses and outfits were scattered throughout the store in all sizes, styles, and heights.

I love buying a nutcracker at Michaels each year since I've found the retailer typically has unique collections of them.

This year, I spotted nutcrackers skiing, wearing biker jackets, and even holding cookies. I added a zebra nutcracker with a pink jacket and drum to my collection.

As a huge fan of Hobby Lobby's holiday decor, I only wish the store was a bit closer to my home. The nearest one is about 40 minutes away, so I don't visit as many times as I'd like to during the holiday season.

Still, whenever errands take me to that part of town, you can bet your candy cane I'll be stopping into Hobby Lobby to peruse its gorgeous aisles of holiday decor and pick up a few new items.

Although my local Michaels' selection of holiday decor felt less organized and a bit smaller than what I found at Hobby Lobby, it's still a great spot to shop this season.

In fact, since my side-by-side comparison visit to both stores, I've run back to my closest Michaels (a five-minute drive from my home) twice for some last-minute items I needed to put up this year's holiday decor.